Foster Grandparents – Senior Companions

Foster Grandparent description:

Foster Grandparent Program exists for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and better, particularly those with limited incomes, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs; and to provide a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers; and to provide supportive, person to person services to children with exceptional or special needs.

About Foster Grandparents:

Foster Grandparents are volunteers who serve in schools, head start centers, and other community-based sites that provide programming for children. Volunteers serve a minimum of 10 hours a week. Grandparents help children with physical and /or mental disabilities and may teach reading to children falling behind their grade level.

Foster Grandparents must be 55 years of age or better and meet established income eligibility guidelines. In addition to a tax-free hourly stipend, they receive accident, personal liability, excess automobile insurance coverage, and assistance with the cost of transportation, recognition, a meal or equivalent each day of service, and orientation and monthly in-service training.

Senior Companion description:

Senior Companions may assist home-bound clients by transporting them to run errands, finding additional resources to help them with personal basic needs, filling out paperwork, paying bills, sharing a listening ear, playing games to keep the mind active, sharing friendly conversation over a cup of coffee or providing respite services for caretakers who need a much-needed break.  Senior Companions also serve in nursing homes or foster care homes with residents assisting with activities designed to help residents regain their independence and reduce their feelings of loneliness and depression. Senior Companions receive training in Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, diabetes, mental illness, hospice services, etc. and when to alert family or staff members to potential health problems the client/resident may be experiencing.

About Senior Companions:

Senior Companion volunteers enrich the lives of those they serve. In addition, the Senior Companion’s life is also enriched from the relationship built with their client. Wonderful friendships are often created between many volunteers and their clients. Activities completed during weekly hours the volunteer serves helps the client achieve and maintain their highest level of independent living, while reducing loneliness and depression.

Senior Companion requirements are that you are at least 55 years of age, meet income eligibility, willing to serve at least 10 hours a week, and being a friendly visitor. No other experience or educational requirements are needed to become a Senior Companion Volunteer.

Senior Companions will receive 20 hours of pre-service orientation training and then are assigned to adults with special or exceptional needs.